Maddocks Collection Services, LLC (MCS) is a third-party collection agency based in California. MCS has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken and failing to provide written verification of debts. If MCS has contacted you about past due financial obligations,make sure you know your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Maddocks Collection Services, LLC was founded in 1931 and incorporated in 2011.The BBB established a profile page for MCS in 2011.The BBB lists MCS as a collection agency. Buzzfile estimates MCS’s annual revenue at $240,000 and the size of its headquarters staff at 6 employees. Buzzfile also indicates that MCS uses the alternate business name, Collection Bureau of Escondido.
According to its website, MCS “is led by a seasoned business management team with extensive experience in different industries throughout the public and private sectors.” MCS employs a “collection team whose members have over forty years of industry experience and have acquired scholar’s degrees in the field of collections.”In addition, MCS “adheres to the highest level of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct,” with a staff of “collectors who are multi-lingual and work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to maximize debtor contact.”
Maddocks Collection Services provides collection services to a wide variety of businesses and industries, including “healthcare providers, medical practices, hospitals, and institutions”; financial services companies, including banks, credit unions, and investment firms; service companies such as bail bondsmen, home improvement, computer, technology, fitness, communications, utilities, media, and online services; consumer retail, including grocery and department stores, wholesalers, automotive dealers, and jewelers; commercial and residential property management companies; and education lenders.
Maddocks Collection Services is a full-service collection offering a wide variety of services. Third-party collection services include professionally trained collectors who use personal phone contact; debtor location and skip tracing; credit bureau reporting; collection letter series; and legal representation in all 50 States. MCS also offers monthly status and analytical reporting and insurance and claims follow-up.
MCS states that its “practices are compliant with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and all governing laws.” They cite affiliation with the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals. However, their Frequently Asked Questions page is aimed exclusively at creditors, and their website does not provide any links or references to consumer protections resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
As of October 2019, the BBB has closed 2 complaints against Maddocks Collection Services in the preceding 3 years, 1 of them in the previous 12 months. Both of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has not posted any complaint data regardingMCS. Justia lists at least 1 caseof civil litigation involving MCS.
Maddocks Collection Services, LLC
4565 Ruffner Street, Suite 215
San Diego, CA 92111
Telephone:(800) 830-3247
Website: http://www.maddockscollects.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely MCS would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. You can sue a debt collector. Here is a Sample Case Complaint:
In January 2019, in United Sates District Court for the Eastern District of New York, a plaintiff filed a class action suit against Maddocks Collection Services requesting a jury trial for violations of the FDCPA. In this case, the plaintiff had incurred consumer debt and fell behind on payments. The debt was eventually assigned to MCS, who sent the plaintiff a letter. The FDCPA places several requirements on written communication about debts. The debt collector must send the consumer a written notice containing certain enumerated information within five days after initial communication. In addition, the collection notice must contain all of the following: • the
The FDCPA also requires that this legally required information be expressed clearly, accurately, and without overshadowing the information with language that may be confusing or misleading.
The letter that Maddocks Collection Services sent the plaintiff included the statement, “To avoid additional collection efforts, you must pay the above balance.” The plaintiff alleged that the letter “failed to explain that despite MCS’s demand for payment,”he still had the right to dispute the debt. Further, he argued that the letter implied that unless payment was made in full, collection efforts would continue, regardless of whether there was any dispute. The plaintiff filed the lawsuit on behalf of all consumers who received a similar letter from Maddocks Collection Services and requested statutory damages as allowed by the FDCPA, court costs, and attorney fees.
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
You may have a case, if…
“I used to get up to 15 calls a week from several collection agencies. It got so bad I felt like I should just get a new phone number to make it quit. Happily, I discovered Lemberg Law. They immediately put an end to the calls. Now, when my phone rings I do not dread it.”
“I would recommend your company to anyone. You have the debt collectors off my back, and I will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the entire procedure your employees were courteous and professional. I was blown away by their efficacy also.
“Prior to contacting you, we had tried repeatedly to handle this matter without threatening litigation. In the end, not only were they unapologetic, but they were dismissive – even of an attorney friend who called on our behalf. Sincerest thanks for resolving this matter for us!”
We can absolutely help. Call us today.
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Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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